Silence S04 Microcar Goes Into Production With Swappable Batteries, 92-Mile Range

Barcelona-based electric scooter company Silence has started production of its first four-wheeled EV dubbed S04, which features dual swappable batteries and is intended for city use due to its small size.

With a length of 89.7 inches (2.28 meters), a width of 50.7 in (1.29 m), and a height of 62.6 in (1.59 m), the Silence S04 will fit comfortably on just about any urban street in the world, all while carrying two people at a top speed of up to 53 mile per hour (85 kilometers per hour) in the top-spec L7e version.

The main selling point of all the company’s vehicles – scooters included – is they use the same removable batteries that can be carried on an integrated trolley and charged inside. The S04 uses two of these for a total of 11.2 kilowatt-hours (2x5.6 kWh, feeding a single electric motor that outputs a constant 14 kilowatts and a peak of 22 kW.

According to the Spanish-based startup, that’s enough for a 92-mile (149-km) driving range in the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC), while the Eco mode will enable a slightly lower, 77-mile (125-km) range.

The whole thing weighs 992 pounds (450 kilograms), while the battery packs tip the scales at 180 lbs (82 kg). As for recharging, each pack needs about six hours to reach 100 percent state of charge (SoC), but both can be topped up at the same time using separate European household sockets (Shuko-type plug).

A 7-inch central screen, electric handbrake, electric windows, central locking, electric mirrors, and disc brakes all-around are offered as standard, with only ABS and air-conditioning being on the options list. There’s also a 247-liter trunk for small bags and groceries.

Following the L7e version’s release, Silence will debut a lower-performance L6e variant, which will be powered by a 6-kW motor and will have its top speed limited to 28 mph (45 kph), allowing drivers that are as young as 15 to drive it without a driver’s license, depending on the country.

Pricing starts at roughly $7,050 (6.580€) for the S04 without batteries (a monthly subscription is required to use the swap stations), while owning the microcar and the batteries will set you back about $10,900 (10,180€).

It’s quite an interesting proposition in the world of European microcars, where vehicles like the Squad Solar EV, Citroen Ami, Microlino, and City Transformer are trying to make a name for themselves in the urban mobility game.